Bridgend AM Welcomes Organ Donation Ad Campaign

Bridgend Assembly Member, Carwyn Jones welcomed the launch of a television ad campaign this week, aimed at informing people of changes to organ donation in Wales, which will come into effect on the 1st of December 2015.

The advert can be seen at http://organdonationwales.org/?lang=en and is encouraging people to start speaking to their loved ones about the changes to organ donation. The changes will introduce a soft opt-out system for consent to deceased organ and tissue donation.

The new law will make it easier for people in Wales to become organ donors and increase the number of organs available for transplant, saving the lives of people waiting for life-saving transplant surgery.

From December 1, 2015, people will have three ways to register their decision about whether they want to become an organ donor or not – they will be able to sign the NHS Organ Donor Register, as now; they will be able to register their wish to explicitly opt out of becoming an organ donor or they can do nothing, in wish case their consent for organ donation will be deemed.

Carwyn Jones AM said: “Organ donation saves lives.? Many of us have friends or relatives who are waiting for a transplant and it is crucial the wait is as short as possible.”

“Organ Donation Wales say that only 40% of people in Wales have discussed their organ donation decision with their family. The law will clarify your organ donation decisions so that your loved ones can ensure they are carried out.”